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Belfast City Council recognises the huge effort made by Council Officers, Councillors, mediators and community representatives in trying to resolve issues around bonfires this year.

All Parties in the City Hall had agreed to work to improve the situation from last year. There has been some success in this regard, which is welcome, however, the situation at the Bloomfield Walkway has continued to prove difficult.

Despite efforts by a range of agencies, the bonfire has been measured this morning as not being at a safe height acceptable to be within the guidelines of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

We would make a final plea to the bonfire builders to remove the surplus material so as to reduce the threat to property. However, we recognise that the land on which the bonfire is built, is owned by the Department for Infrastructure and so it is their responsibility. If there is not a satisfactory resolution in the time remaining, the Council calls upon the Department for Infrastructure to take all measures possible to reduce the potential damage to local properties.